EPL DFS Breakdown – 12/9/17

With the end of the UCL group stage earlier this week, we’ll all be stuck playing EPL until the UCL resumes in mid-February. There is a flurry of EPL slates as we approach the holidays, so there should be no lack of soccer DFS content coming to you from myself and @FanCaveDFS. Just like always, let’s cut right to advice.

Target Forwards

Harry Kane (Stoke City @ Tottenham, $13,500) – Since the last EPL slate that included Kane, his price took a $1,500 jump even after a 7.5 fantasy point dud against Watford. His price jump this week is mainly due to the lack of top striker on the slate (I’ll get to more about that soon). Kane will take on a weak Stoke City defense that are second last in goals allowed in the EPL this season. If there’s any spot for Kane to bounce back after last Saturday, it would be this game. Like I’ve said, I’ll let you know when Kane is not the play. Don’t fade him this weekend.

Jamie Vardy (Leicester City @ Newcastle, $9,500) – Given the lack of big names on the slate this week, Vardy’s ownership with probably not be #criminal. Vardy is not the goal-scorer he once was, but he draws a decent matchup this week against a Newcastle defense giving up 1.47 goals per game. Vardy makes a fair pivot off Richarlson (also $9,500) with Richarlson’s difficult matchup against a fierce Burnley defense playing on their home grounds.

Chris Wood (Watford @ Burnley, $8,500) – Chris Wood is a great second forward to pair with Kane this weekend. Watford’s defense is giving up an average of 1.73 goals per game this season, making Wood a nice option for this price especially considering other forwards on this slate.

Also like: Christian Benteke ($8,500), Joselu ($8,000)

Cheap Forwards

The forward pool on this slate is one of the worst I’ve ever seen. There are no plays below $8,000.

Target Midfielders

Dele Alli ($11,000) and Christian Eriksen ($10,500) (Stoke City @ Tottenham) – Alli and Eriksen will no doubt be the most popular midfielders on Saturday. Much like Kane, they both draw a great matchup against Stoke City’s weak defense. Tottenham as a team have been sputtering just a bit lately, but this is a game where they can get back on track in a big way. Getting one of Alli or Eriksen on Saturday is important.

Wilfried Zaha (Bournemouth @ Crystal Palace, $9,500) – For anyone looking to pivot off Alli/Eriksen, Zaha is a good option. Crystal Palace is coming out of their terrible early-season form, and Zaha has been a big part of that. Zaha hasn’t seen himself on the scoresheet in 3 games, but he’s been consistent with his peripheral stats. Zaha, along with forward teammate Christian Benteke ($8,500), are in good spots this weekend against Bournemouth.

Also like: Son Heung-Min ($9,000), Aaron Mooy ($8,500)

Cheap Midfielders

Andrew Surman (Bournemouth @ Crystal Palace, $8,000) – Although Crystal Palace looks better now than they did in the first 2 months of the season, they’re still one of the worst teams in the league. Surman has been very consistent over the whole season, and he’s added to his fantasy value with assists recently. He has 3 assists in his last 5 games, and is in a good spot to add more against CP.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Bournemouth @ Crystal Palace, $7,000) – Along with Zaha, another big part of CP’s better form is young midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek. RLC has been a bright spot in CP’s midfield recently, and he’s also become a good fantasy play for his 7k price. CP is in a good spot for success this weekend, and Loftus-Cheek should provide some good value in the midfield. The brightest spot in CP’s midfield right now is Yohan Cabaye ($7,000). He’s scored 24+ fantasy points in 4 out of his last 5 EPL games, and is averaging 19.7 points on the season. Cabaye is a game-time decision with an undisclosed injury. If he goes, he’ll be a good play. If he does not start, Andros Townsend ($7,000) receives a big bump.

Target Defenders

Ben Davies ($7,500) and Kieran Trippier ($7,500) (Stoke City @ Tottenham) – If you want to add to your Tottenham stack, this would be the place to do it. If you haven’t read any of my previous writeups on Davies and Trippier, I can sum it up for you now. In Tottenham’s formation, Davies and Trippier are technically lined up as defenders, but they basically play as extra midfielders. So yes, you’re paying $7,500 for a defender, but they both have bigtime upside. Tottenham should control a lot of the possession in this game, giving Davies and Trippier the opportunity to join the attack. If you can pay down on midfield and afford one of these guys, go ahead.

Cheap Defenders

Phil Bardsley (Watford @ Burnley, $5,500) – Phil Bardsley has drawn 2 consecutive starts for Burnley, and he is averaging 20 fantasy points in those 2 games. Bardsley has a nice matchup for a defender. He’ll be busy defending a Watford team that scores an average of 1.67 goals per game. Bardsley should provide some really nice value at DEF this weekend.

Goalkeepers

Lukasz Fabianski (West Brom @ Swansea City, $5,000) – Fabianski will face a West Brom team that has only scored 4 goals in 7 games on the road. He hasn’t kept many clean sheets this season, and most of his points have come from saves. He has a chance at the clean sheet this weekend.